Because I do The Compact, (buy nothing new) it’s easy to narrow down my shopping opportunities.
So yes, it is at thrift stores, garage sales and other secondhand sources that I make all my purchases.
However, an important decision I’ve made, is to only buy things I actually need. I am not completely successful with this goal, but I’ve come a long way.
I don’t like a cluttered house, although I am a natural pack-rat.
It’s like I have those cliche’d mini-me’s on my shoulders tugging me this way and that:
Devil mini-me: “Ooh Katy, that is such a cool vintage clock/cheese slicer/end table/whatever, you’d be a fool to not snap that up!”
Angel Mini-me: “Don’t buy it Katy! Be strong. You know you already have more crap than you can deal with. Why buy more stuff when you can’t even figure out what to do with what you already have?”
Devil mini-me: “Don’t listen to that goody-goody! You could even sell this expensive stroller/voodoo doll/great book on eBay or craigslist.”
Angel mini-me: “Get out now Katy. Abort! Abort!”
You get the picture.
It’s just as easy to load up on the unnecessaries in life at a thrift store as it is at Walmart. For me it’s actually easier to lose the wants vs. needs battle. If you find a used whatchama-whatever, you have to pounce on it right then and there. It probably won’t wait for you to return an hour later. Whereas, a new purchase can wait be bought when it’s first seen, or even a day or two later.
I try very hard to not shop recreationally. The problem is that I do love going to thrift stores, and would happily spend my days browsing through the various Goodwills in town.
However:
Katy + thrift stores = cool junk that does nothing to support my mission for a responsibly frugal life. Junk is not a need.
Now if I could only get that angel/devil duo to work on all my other character flaws.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
{ 0 comments… add one now }